May 9 – A Steadfast Heart

“How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commandments.” -  Psalm 112:1 (NASB)
“He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” - Psalm 112:7 (NASB)
“The wicked will see it and be vexed, he will gnash his teeth and melt away; the desire of the wicked will perish.”  - Psalm 112:10

We have chosen three verses which reminded us of steadfast heart and how the world responds.  Verse 1 encourages believers – those who fear the LORD God. They delight in God’s Word. Verse 7 describes a picture of a heart that is resting on something solid so that it is not shaken no matter what happens. There is no fear of the evil in the world.  It is common today to hear the angst expressed by believers when they see that the world around us is unstable and coming apart. Our promise is that our hearts can remain unmoved. The verses today explain how this comes about. It is by trusting in the Lord. What else could provide a more solid foundation than our God? As we trust and fear the Lord we find satisfaction in his promises and commands. The wicked in the world will be disturbed by the believer’s steadfast faith. Gnashing of teeth they melt away. We won't be bothered by things  going on around us. Our feelings and our thoughts will always be steady knowing that God is faithful. Today, let's be like the person in verses 7-9. 

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April 7 – Eternal Life Is The Crown

“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him” – James 1:12 (ESV)

We are promised blessings if we remain unfaltering under trial. This is a promise we all need because steadfastness is not easy to come by. And when we are depending upon ourselves, it becomes impossible to fend off the doubts and uncertainties that come with the trials and testing of our faith. Believers who successfully endure trials are truly happy. Nobody is saying that trials are easy to face and live through. Quite the opposite and that is why a passive, painful survival of a trial results in endurance and focuses on a victorious outcome. Through such endurance we do not relinquish our saving faith in God; we successfully have the victory over these trials which is evidence of our faith. The “crown of life” promised is best translated “the crown which is life.” Our ultimate reward is eternal life which God has promised to all who believe. It is granted in full at the time of our death or at the time of Christ’s coming again. This promise is given to those who love Him. By grace and through faith we declare our love for Jesus who secured our eternal life in his death and resurrection. 

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October 23 – Testimonies of His Mouth

“In your steadfast love give me life, that I may keep the testimonies of your mouth.” – Psalm 119:88 (ESV)

Is your world pressing in on you and keeping from you the peace that surpasses all comprehension? It happens. We may wish for our lives to be easy all the time – if it ever is at all. Everything in our lives may, for a season, seem to be rolling along in a positive direction and then BLAM! From out of nowhere comes something we do not expect and would never choose. Sometimes it is a loss from a natural disaster – we’re thinking of the many who lose their homes in hurricanes, tornados, flooding and fires. Or is it a sudden illness, a diagnosis we can’t bear hear? But there it is, and we’re just not ready. And the most difficult might be the unthinkable loss of someone dear and near; a husband, a wife, a child, a close friend. The sudden loss of a life partner way too soon certainly is a really difficult circumstance to cope with. Look at the verse now. God’s love for us is steadfast, even when our loss is greater than ever imagined. His lovingkindness will give us hope and his testimonies from His word are good to keep in mind and heart. 

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September 21 – Staying Steadfast

“Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.” – James 5:11 (ESV)

In our passage today our promise is mercy if we remain steadfast in suffering. It is those who suffer for the sake of Jesus Christ that are promised this mercy. Not only receive mercy but show mercy when we face tribulation, persecution ⸺ any undeserved action because of our confession of faith in God. As faith believers we recognize that suffering is a part of the life that comes with proclaiming the Gospel of salvation which comes only from believing in Jesus. His half-brother James, had not always believed in Jesus during His earthly ministry on earth. But James came to believe and was the leader of the early church in Jerusalem. James had seen the suffering firsthand. This included decapitation, stoning, imprisonment, whippings, beatings, and attempts to eliminate or squelch the believers of Jesus. So James reminds us to consider two things in this verse. First, that we remember how Job remained steadfast through the worst trials and suffering we can imagine. Second, that the Lord is full of both compassion and mercy – that means Jesus delights to show mercy to those who are suffering. That is why He willingly went to the cross to die.

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June 14 – Trust and Rejoice

“For our heart rejoices in Him, Because we trust in His holy name.  Let your steadfast love, O LORD, be upon us, even as we hope in you.  ”  Psalm 33:21-22 (ESV)

There is joy in the Christian life and our verse reminds us that we rejoice because we trust in Him, in His name. Why is  it that trusting the Lord results in joy? Because He is trustworthy. When we trust the Lord we are trusting someone who is dependable. Because we can trust in His name we have a certain hope in what He has promised This whole Psalm, when we read through it, is packed with the magnificence of our Lord God. He looks down from heaven and watches over us. He knows everything we are going through, every challenge we face, every need we have. That is why, when we trust in Him it brings joy to our hearts.  And when we look to Him for help and He responds by giving us what we need, our hearts respond and rejoice. That had been the experience of the Psalmist and it can be our experience too.  Let’s join with the Psalmist and say as he did, “Because of Him we are happy! We are trusting him. And we trust his holy name.”

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June 3 –Steadfast Convictions

“Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.” Psalm 112:1 (NIV)

“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”  Psalm 112:7 (NIV)

There is a positive result seen in the promises of these two verses from Psalm 112. With no title to this Psalm, it is evidently a companion to Psalm 111. We consider the promises in these verses. The exhortation at the beginning of 112:1 is never given too often; our Lord is the LORD God and He always deserves praise. The exhortation is for all thoughtful persons who observe the way and manner of life that appropriately fears the Lord. God’s favor towards the God-fearing is a display of His character and encourages gracious feelings in others. We study the divine precepts while we endeavor to observe them, and we rejoice doing so. Our promises are: We will have no dread that evil tidings will come, and we will not be alarmed when they do come. If our hearts are fixed in our reliance upon God, any change in circumstances will barely affects us; our faith makes our conviction steadfast. When the worst should come to worst we rest and remain quiet, patiently, waiting for God.

Compare line by line Psalms 111 & 112 and see the greatness of God and its reflection. 

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May 21 – Fear So to Not Fear

“Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1 (NASB)

“He is not afraid of bad news; his heart is firm, trusting in the LORD.”  Psalm 112:7 (ESV)

The act of fearing the LORD is an emphasis throughout the Old Testament. The concept “fear of the Lord” occurs most prominently in the Old Testament’s Wisdom Literature such as our selected verse today. It is defined as the beginning of wisdom (Prov 9:10) or, as the responsible attitude of all humanity toward God (Eccl 12:13). When it is used it conveys either devotion or dread of consequential punishment. Such a devotional attitude is both fitting and pleasing to our Lord God. We can and should fear God in both ways. When faith believers are walking in the fear of the Lord, they are also in the comfort of the Holy Spirit. Such and attitude actually give us courage from our faith so that we are not afraid when bad tidings come our way. No one likes bad news but true Christians have no need to fear any news we receive. We have been given steadfast hearts, firm and trusting in the LORD. We can actually say, if we fear the Lord God, we really have no need to fear anything else in this world ⸺we are blessed because we fear only the Lord.

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May 3 – Qualified By God

“…strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light” – Colossians 1:11-12 (NASB)

Again we look at this passage from the letter Paul the Apostle wrote to the church in Colossae. He cared much for the people in all the churches he had a part in establishing. Praying for them every day, he sought God’s very best for them and for them to recognize the promises and blessings they received.  These are promises for us as well. In our passage today is a third factor, spiritual strength, that results from knowing God’s will and pleasing Him. Being strengthened with all power according to His glorious might, a promise for overcoming uses three words for strength: “being strengthened” ⸺enable; make strong;¹ “power” ⸺be able, can;² and “might” ⸺power that overcomes resistance;³ This God-given strength produces great endurance and patience. This endurance or perseverance (James 1:3), we saw characterized by Job (James 5:11). To this endurance Paul added “patience,” a word generally associated with gentleness and calmness. When patience-producing power is manifested it is often accompanied with a joyful spirit of thanksgiving to the Father from whom comes every good and perfect gift (James 1:17). Our promise is we are made qualified to share in the inheritance of the saints. 

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¹[dynamoumenoi]
²[dynamei]
³[kratos]

 

April 14 – The Sting Is Gone

“The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law; but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.” – 1 Corinthians 15:58 (NASB)

Our promise today is found in the last verse of  1 Corinthians fifteen. It continues instructions Paul gave in the first verses of the chapter (1 Corinthians 15:1-2). Where we are spiritually depends on what we are taught and learn and then choose to believe. The gospel Paul had preached in Corinth (1 Corinthians 2:1–2) had not changed; but he feared that along with the declension in the church regarding the message of Christ crucified and its implication for believers, the same was happening with regard to the message of Christ resurrected. False teachers work for our enemy Satan to turn people away from the truth of Jesus’s resurrection. For the proof Christ is who He claims to be is His resurrection. So the enemies will always attempt to deny the bodily resurrection of Jesus Christ. Paul had clearly stated the case for Christ’s resurrection and that if He did not rise from the dead our faith in Him would be useless. But his resurrection is true. Christ did not stay in the grave. He conquered the sting and power of death for all who believe. He secured our victory over death so that what we do for Christ’s Gospel is not in vain. 

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March 1 – Trust the Immutable God

“The LORD will accomplish what concerns me; Your lovingkindness, O LORD, is everlasting; Do not forsake the works of Your hands.”  Psalm 138:8 (NASB)

The importance of the promises, as in our verse today, is better understood when we consider source and context.  This is a psalm of thanksgiving and praise by David. We have considered this verse previously and repetition of God’s promises is always beneficial. David declares our LORD God is exalted over all His creation. He favors the humble in spirit but the arrogant, who David calls haughty, are kept far from Him. Additionally, God watches over our lives and protects us from the hatred of our enemies. The conclusion of Psalm 138 has critical importance for us because we do not always turn to God and trust these promises. Our fears and worries distract us and we are prone to believe God gives up on us. He doesn't because His promise is that He will accomplish and fulfill all that is His purpose for us. God’s love is steady and holds fast in all circumstances. We can always trust this promise even though we might strongly feel the need to call on God to continue His work in our lives. When we think we’ve lost, God says it is not finished. God’s work continues in our lives. 

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November 28 – Faith, Love, Hope

“We give thanks to God always for all of you, constantly mentioning you in our prayers, remembering before our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ. For we know, brothers loved by God, that he has chosen you,” 1 Thessalonians 1:2-4 (ESV)

As the American holiday of Thanksgiving has just past we consider that the period for giving thanks has not. In the Apostle Paul’s letter to the believers in Thessalonica he states that he, and those with him, are in the practice of giving thanks to God always; constantly including them in prayer; and remembering their spiritual commitment. Paul mentions three characteristics of their commitment. Their work which is produced by faith in Christ; their labor which was motivated by their love of Christ; and their steadfastness, which is also endurance and faithfulness⸺inspired by a sure hope of Christ. These believers and followers of Jesus Christ were anticipating the return of God’s son from heaven. Each of these virtues found its object in Jesus. Three virtues that mark every true obedient Christian⸺faith, love, and hope. These virtues are the focus of 1 Corinthians 13, the chapter of love. One of the promises given to all believers is that God loved us and chose us for eternal life and service. Paul and his friends (we know) were certain of this truth. We can be certain also if we have believed in Jesus.

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January 7 – The Crown Which Is Life

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.- James 1:12  (ESV)

God calls us to be steadfast and to remain unwavering and resolute in our trust of His promises.  Even when we are broadsided by some unexpected or tragic circumstance, we are to consider the trial to be a test of our faith.  In a very real sense, these trials are temptations to give up on our faith.  Our enemy, the deceiver of all and the father of lies is often the author of these trials.  The hope is that we will become shipwrecked and give up our faith.  God has promised a way of escape and that is if we, through God’s wisdom endure and remain steadfast in our faith, God promises the crown of life.  Our steadfastness has proven our love for God and the crown of life – which is best translated “the crown which is life” is the believers ultimate reward, it is eternal life manifested. Jesus promised that all  who believe will face such trials and temptations and He promised to give us what we need to persevere until our eternal life is manifest in heaven and we receive The Crown Which is Life. 

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May 7 – Awe-inspiring Fear

“Praise the Lord! How blessed is the man who fears the Lord, Who greatly delights in His commandments.” Psalm 112:1 (NASB) 
“He will not fear evil tidings; His heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”  Psalm 112:7 (NASB)

These promises in these verses are, of course, written for all of people created by God and who are therefore all equal in His sight.  We include these two verses this way because we believe that they describe the kind of person who follows this blog.  We are therefore thankful and take great delight in hearing the suggestions which God has given in the Bible as to how we should live.  When we pay attention to the teaching which God has given us in the Bible it does give us the ability to not shrink in fear when we hear of evil that is at work in the world. Rather, these  promises give us courage and strengthens our hearts so that we are standing firm and trusting in the Lord our God.  We trust our Lord because of who He is and our fear of Him is an awesome respect of Him.  We do not cower from God but we submit to His awe-inspiring authority over all things and submit to His will.  We do not have to cower from evil news either because God Almighty is our God and we recognize that all things come from Him.  So we take hope and delight in following in His way and commandments no matter what we encounter in our life.   

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January 13 – Perfect Peace

“You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you.” Isaiah 26:3 (ESV)

Is this verse a familiar one for you?  It is for us as it is a verse we have clung to for much of our life.  A comforting promise from our God.  It is good to take notice that this promise is given to us but we experience it only if we fulfill the condition that it comes with.  Perfect peace is where God will keep us if we keep our minds steadfastly trusting Him.  It is that simple, and it is so very true.  When our lives are in upheaval for whatever reason or cause, God will keep us in perfect peace if we remain fixed on Him by trusting in Him.  Trust God today for this promise and trust Him everyday for all His promises.  Difficult times will come but God will cover us with his perfect peace and we will not become distraught or anxious.  It won't be affected by the conditions in your country, city or even family because the peace is perfect – without flaw.  Such a perfect deal we have. Trust in God, and He keeps us in perfect peace.  

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Please share this promise with others.

September 3 – Labor, Worthy or Worthless

“Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that in the Lord your labor is not in vain.”  1 Corinthians 15:58 (ESV)

Even though the day we call Labor Day in the United States is considered a holiday for people to not work, we can think of it as a reminder of the part of life that we call 'Labor'.  You have likely heard the verse that we have selected for today and you perhaps know that it comes at the end of a chapter about the resurrection.  So the promise of our verse is about the day when our work on earth will be over.  Yes, there will be a day when we are in heaven with God our Father.  God will reward His people for what they have done for Him here on earth.  Let's not forget friends that God knows what we do for His sake and He has promised to reward us accordingly.  Is our work today going to be worthy of a reward?  This is the question the apostle Paul was asking and encouraging us to be always abounding in the work of the Lord so that our labor will not be worthy and not worthless when that day come. 

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February 22 – Dependable

“Not to us, O Lord, not to us, but to your name give glory, for the sake of your steadfast love and your faithfulness!"  Psalm 115:1 (ESV)

The Psalms remind us of the many reasons we have for thanking and for praising our Lord. We notice that the purpose we praise God is to give Him glory. We do not worship God in order to generate good feelings within ourselves – although sincere praise does bring satisfaction and joy to to us. Our verse teaches us that the reason we have any reason for thankfulness and praise is because of God's love and because of His faithfulness. It is true, isn't it? The reason God helps us and does so much for is His love for us. His love is steadfast, it is lovingkindness that he has for us. When God does something for us, if He answers our prayers and meets our needs because of His love, not our merit.  God also helps us because He is faithful to His promises and to His character also.  He can be depended on, what He says, He will do.

January 7 – Never Ending Love Covenant

“Know therefore that the Lord your God is God, the faithful God who keeps covenant and steadfast love with those who love him and keep his commandments, to a thousand generations,” Deuteronomy 7:9 (ESV)

There are many reminders in the Bible about the character and nature of our God. We have in our verse today some words by Moses addressed to God's people reminding them of what their God was like. How long does Moses say that God would keep His promise to love those who love Him? He said for a thousand generations.  How long would this be? If we think of a generation as being about 30 years (average between 25.5 for women and 34.5 for men*) there have been a little more than a hundred generations since the time of Moses. So a 1000 generations would still be a very long way into the future, wouldn't it?  What Moses really meant, of  course is that God's love for us is eternal. We have a promise from God we can trust.  

* See GENERATIONS:

October 22 – See Us Through

“Praise the Lord. Blessed are those who fear the Lord, who find great delight in his commands.” Psalm 112:1 (NIV)
“They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord.” Psalm 112:7 (NIV)

We are choosing two verses from Psalm 112 today. The first verse identifies who the psalmist is writing this song for. Those who fear the Lord and delight in what He tells us to do.  The next verses describe a person who respects and worships God. Our second verse doesn't say that a follower of the Lord will never hear any bad news. It doesn't say that nothing unpleasant will ever happen to us. What our verse promises is that we won't spend time thinking of some bad things that might happen to us. What it means is that we will be trusting in the love of God to take care of us no matter what happens. We have a great and loving God and He promises to see us through.  

September 27 – Steadfast Love

“The Lord will fulfill his purpose for me; your steadfast love, O Lord, endures forever. Do not forsake the work of your hands.” Psalm 138:8 (ESV)

What a wonderful promise begins our verse. How wonderful it is to believe and know that our Lord God will complete and fulfill His purpose for each of us. The psalmist David knew this to be true and says so in this verse. This confirms for us that God has a special purpose for each of us and He is watching over us with a steadfast love that never changes. He knows and sees our reactions to difficulties in our life and here promises to us that he is with us forever. What God has given us to do he will help us do because this purpose is His work in our lives and the lives of others. We can depend on Him to not forsake this work – it is the work of His hands and He will accomplish it because of His love is a steadfast love.

September 12 – Enduring Love

“Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever!” Psalm 118:1 (ESV)

This is the first verse of Psalm 118 as it lifts up our voices in thanks to the Lord because of His goodness and His steadfast love.  It is interesting that this psalm ends with the same words in verse 29. There is a reason why the psalmist opens and closes this song with the same words of thanksgiving. They are important to us too.  It is good to always remember the promise that God is good and his love is steadfast and endures forever. Never will God's love end and never will we be without it. It endures forever. What a promise to walk with today. Let's give thanks indeed for the Lord is good, so very good.